milliways_bar | Breakfast at Milliways

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Breakfast at Milliways

Dinah was a bit overwhelmed by the number of new faces that appeared in the bar overnight, and she's looking forward to meeting them. For once, there's no need to clear up the mess from happy hour last niht, so she just clears the bar and writes up the:

Breakfast Specials
Fava Bean Egyptian Breakfast
Rice Pecan Hotcakes
Half a grapefruit

"What can I getcha?"

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"Good morning, Dinah. Can you do me a favor and read me those words? I'm just starting to learn English and could use a little assist." Lando has already seated himself at the Bar and is chipper today.

"Sure thing, Lando," Dinah says, presenting him with his juice and a smile.

"I've got an Egyptian Fava Bean breakfast - that's spicy beans on a pitta bread; Rice pecan hotcakes - those are sweet and nutty; or a half grapefruit. I'm thinking you'd like the beans?"

"Yes, spicy sounds better than sweet. I see you know of one rules of customer service, Dinah: get to know what you customer likes. It saves time, and makes the customer feel like you have been paying attention. Not that I would never not pay attention to you, Dinah." He gives her a particularly brilliant grin.

"And thanks. I'm starting to get the hang of English. But it's complicated. How do you ever know what sound the G is supposed to make?"

"Well, aren't you sweet? Just wait right there and I'll fetch it for you," and she does, producing a bean mash with pita bread.

"It depends on where it is in the word, and what letters come next to it," she explains. "Between the E and the Y like that, it's soft, but with the R after it in grapefruit, it's hard to make the GR sound, which can't be made with the soft jer sound."

She says all this conversationally, and not in the least bit patronisingly.

"I guess that makes some sense, but why not just have the G make the sound the J doesn't?" But Lando doesn't ponder this for long as he begins to eat his breakfast.

"Hmmm. Quite tasty, as usual. Good mix of spices. WE had things like this back in Cloud City, though the bread is simpler.

Dinah shrugs, having run out of her source of etymology knowledge.

"I'm glad you like it. We have a range of different types of bread on Earth. That's from a wide desert region, and is generally used to dip into things, or as a wrap like I've done there."

"Oh, we have a wide range of breads as well. As many breads as worlds, at the very least. And most likely some fill the same purpose at a pita." He eats a bit more of the pita, careful not to let any of the bean mix drip out.

"Something like this might be useful on a fighter craft, if wrapped correctly. The last thing anyone wants in for crumbs to get into the steering column." He smirks as he says this, not entirely serious.

"Oh absolutely," she agrees. "Or a sandwich toasted so that the edges meet.

"It's always important to have food suitable for where you are at any rate."

"Actually, I think those hotshots in the fighters don't eat much on missions. I never understand how they manage that, but since I don't have any plans to fly an X-Wing any time soon, I'll let them do what they want." He takes a sip of juice.

"In fact, I'm thinking about resigning my commission."

"Oh?" Dinah leans on the bar, curious. "Why's that?"

"Well, as I think I mentioned, the war is winding down. And I don't think there's much at this point that is a match for my skills. Oh, there might yet be a battle in space, but I'm far from the only person who can lead fighters in such an event.

"More likely, the clean-up will require more in the way of ground troops and undercover actions. Again, not something I'm suited to.

"But beyond that, I'm ready to get back to civilian life. To get back to business and to being my own boss." At the thought of this, Lando's eyes twinkle.

And Dinah's smile matches that twinkle.

"Back to the trading, then?"

"For the time being, Dinah. Trade would be the fastest way to establish solvency in the short term. I still have credits in the Imperial banks, and I probably could slice some out of the system, but I would prefer to have some credits outside Imperial observation.

"This, however, would just be seed moeny for whatever comes next."

She listens to all this with her head propped in the base of her hand, grinning at him.

"And d'you have any idea what comes next?"

Lando's smile fades a little.

"Not yet. I was hoping I could reclaim Cloud City, but the Empire still has it, and I don't think there is much chance that the Alliance will retake it.

"But there is always opportunity out there. Always a project that a smart and determined man can make work. And with the war ending, with the return of the Republic, the galactic economy is likely to enter a boom phase."

Dinah's face falls as she hears about the loss of Cloud City.

"Oh now that's a real shame. But I'm sure you can find somethin'. You don't strike me as the type of man who'll let somethin' like this get in his way. I'm sure you'll do just fine."

Lando beams. Even he could use a little egoboo sometimes. Not that he would admit this.

"I know that I have a good long life ahead of me, so I'm sure I do as well. It's just a matter of finding the right opportunity. It always has been."

"And you've sure got an eye for opportunity," she assures him. "I don't doubt you'll be fine."

He just gives Dinah one of those looks he likes giving women, and then finsihes his breakfast.

"Dinah, thank you for the breakfast, and the conversation. Have a good day."

"Sure thing, Lando," she says, clearing away his plate. "You take care now!"

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Breakfast at Milliways

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